Each race in a Formula One (F1) season is an event you can’t miss, but none are as bombastic as the Singapore Grand Prix (GP). For Filipino fans, it’s the easiest to watch as the time difference isn’t as drastic as with other races, and others may even opt to fly out to watch the two-hour race from the stands. This year, the Singapore GP is set to include a race weekend full of performances from G-Dragon, CL, Foo Fighters, Elton John, and The Smashing Pumpkins.
But the spectacle doesn’t even start there. On October 5, 20 drivers will take to the Marina Bay Street Circuit and brave one of the most challenging races in motorsport, with a tight track, sharp turns, bright floodlights, and Singapore’s extremely hot and humid climate.
Who can take the heat and win first place at this year’s race? Is it four-time Singapore GP winner Lewis Hamilton, or Oscar Piastri, who’s poised to be this year’s World Champion? Any of the motorsport’s 20 drivers could come out on top, but let’s look at five of the most promising racers ahead of the 2025 Singapore GP.
The Star: Charles Leclerc
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has long been considered a favorite at Singapore, even if the win has eluded him so far. The Monégasque driver showed speed on the Marina Bay circuit, taking pole positions in both 2019 and 2022. And with former teammate Carlos Sainz having secured victory here in 2023, Leclerc may be hungry to put his own stamp on this street track.
The Top Performer: Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri has been the breakout star of the season, racking up 14 podiums, seven wins, and a hefty 324 points so far. Last year, he settled for third place in Singapore while his McLaren teammate Lando Norris took the victory. But momentum is firmly on the Aussie’s side this year, and he may very likely win not just this race but also the World Championship.
The Underdog: Kimi Antonelli
At just 19 years old, Kimi Antonelli is the youngest driver among the current top ten, but the Italian racer is already proving himself a force to be reckoned with. The Mercedes rookie has shown himself able to handle the pressure of racing against seasoned champions, landing places just outside the podium in other races. Singapore’s street circuit could be Antonelli’s chance to make a career-defining statement in his debut F1 season.
The Quadruple Threat: Lewis Hamilton
Few names carry as much weight in Singapore as Lewis Hamilton’s. The seven-time World Champion has claimed four victories here, the second-highest tally after retired racer Sebastian Vettel. Now in the twilight of his career and driving for Ferrari, the British driver is a master at navigating the Marina Bay Street Circuit and remains a real threat under its lights.
The Vet: Fernando Alonso
Like Hamilton, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso knows the Singapore circuit better than most, having won the inaugural Singapore GP in 2008 and repeating the feat in 2010. Two decades into his F1 career, the Spaniard still finds ways to stay in the mix against drivers half his age, and Singapore is another chance to show why he’s lasted this long in the motorsport.
